Etisalat showcases the latest telecom services at Cairo ICT 2006

The Etisalat stand showcases some of the latest and the future GSM services and technologies, particularly for mobiles. An agreement was also signed between Etisalat and Mashreq Telecom of Egypt, whereby both companies will come together to bid for the 3rd GSM licence in Egypt when it is opened.

Mohammed Hassan Omran, Chairman and CEO of Etisalat, said: 'We are very happy to be participating at Cairo ICT 2006, one of the most important events in the telecom sector calendar, and one that reflects Egypt's current drive to achieve greater heights for the Egyptian economy, most notably in the telecom sector.'

'Etisalat competing for the 3rd GSM network reflects the positive trend of the Egyptian Government encouraging international investment, and this will bring benefits to the local resources within the telecom sector as well as help boost the nation's economy.'

'At this time, we look forward to the official opening of the bidding for the 3rd GSM licence. We have previously worked with our partners, Mashreq Telecom, one of Egypt's national telecom operators, to compete and win contracts,' he added.

Omran stated that Etisalat's participation at Cairo ICT 2006 reflects the Corporation's strategy for expansion both regionally and internationally, following the remarkable success of winning the 2nd mobile GSM network in Saudi Arabia. 'Mobily' is now the fastest growing mobile company in the world according to the GSM Association.

Omran also highlighted Etisalat's role in managing and operating telecom companies in international markets including Sudan, Pakistan, Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Togo, Republic of Central Africa, Ivory Coast, its owning shares in Thuraya, Qtel, Sudatel, and its preparations to enter new markets in Tunisia and Afghanistan.

Speaking at the event, Omran reviewed Etisalat's successful history of providing state-of-the-art technologies and services to its customers. He said, 'Etisalat was an early telecom operator to launch the cellular phone services in the region and was one of the first to launch GSM mobile services. We were the region's first operator to offer 3G services, the key platform for latest and future mobile applications and services.'

'We have achieved record figures in the UAE with regards to mobile and internet users, with mobile penetration at almost 100 per cent, and internet user figure at 51 per cent, while mobile data users are the highest in the region,' he added.

'Etisalat's goal is to provide the best in all services and to offer customers the most innovative services and solutions that help improve the standards of both their life and business,' he concluded.